Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen wondered why women activists were so eager to enter the Sabarimala shrine, which opened for a two-month long pilgrimage season Friday, and said instead they should visit villages where women face several issues.

Professor Anju Seth became the first woman director of the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) in the five decades of its existence.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday alleged that under the Modi government "fast entry gates" of ministries "open for those who possess fake degrees".

Newly elected Congress MP from Karnataka's Ballari, V.S Ugrappa Friday said he would focus on drinking water, health and infrastructure in the remaining five months of his tenure.

The Sabarimala temple opened Friday evening for the two-month long pilgrim season amid tight security in the backdrop of the standoff over the entry of women in menstrual age.

Sri Lanka's Parliament witnessed chaos for a second day Friday as MPs loyal to disputed prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa occupied the seat of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and shouted slogans, forcing him to summon police inside the House and adjourning the session until Monday.

The Supreme Court Friday said the CVC's "exhaustive" preliminary report on allegations against CBI Director Alok Verma has concluded that some findings are "complimentary" and some "very uncomplimentary", needing further investigation by the panel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday dared the Congress to make someone outside the Gandhi family the party president for at least five years.